Business and Career Articles

Popular Employer Sponsored Health and Wellness Programs as Incentives

The top companies understand that the high performance job seeker is looking for more than just a paycheck,

that provide attractive incentives to career candidates.

On the flip-side, employers also know that by offering on-site wellness programs, they are likely to better control health insurance premium costs, experience fewer employee sick days, and increase productivity when their employees are happy and healthy.

A 2010 Harvard University special report on the benefits of wellness programs in the workplace found that, “medical costs fall by about $3.27 for every dollar spent on wellness programs and that absenteeism costs fall by about $2.73 for every dollar spent.” Over the years, there have been numerous independent studies conducted, and they all indicate that investing in employee health and wellness makes sense from a business standpoint.

Additionally, the Wall Street Journal published an article that highlighted a 2013 survey conducted by the National Business Group on Health that advised, “29% of employers were planning to link financial incentives in their wellness programs to achieving specific health goals. “Here are some of the most popular health and wellness initiatives being offered by companies.

Corporate Fitness Centers - Being able to work off stress and shed pounds is one way that employees can lead healthier lifestyles. Employers offer state-of-the-art fitness centers right on campus to facilitate this, making it a great perk for employees who have no personal time or budgets to head to the gym after work.

Dietary Support - Many employees do not get the right kind of nutrition into their already hectic workweeks. Having access to nutritional meals and snacks at the office can be a major perk to those trying to maintain health. From healthy snack machines and spring water machines to healthy menu choices cooked up in a corporate café, this can be a welcome incentive for employees.

Employee Health Screenings– Offered annually, these on-site programs allow employees to obtain their biometric data such as blood pressure, body mass index, and cholesterol levels without the inconvenience of visiting a doctors’ office. They are most effective when completed as part of an entire wellness awareness program, such as a health fair.

Corporate Wellness Bonuses– Many workplaces recognize the benefit of having staff who are healthy and active. Therefore, a growing number are challenging employees to increase their physical activity with corporate bonuses for those who achieve their health goals – such as losing weight and quitting smoking. Employees can earn points for participating and shop for gifts or earn cash prizes and recognition for their hard work.

Donations to Charities– People love giving back to their communities, so when it comes to designing wellness programs that inspire employees; nothing works better than doing it for local causes. Inviting employees to walk for a charity, tracking their progress with pedometers, and then matching the miles with dollars can be a powerful wellness incentive that counts.

Company Wellness Events– Hosting a health and wellness fair, inviting local wellness providers to provide their services on-site, and paying for health lifestyle classes at work can all be great incentives for employees. This helps to increase awareness of important health topics and gives all employees a chance to benefit in a non-threatening environment.

The good news is that companies that sponsor health and wellness initiatives may be eligible for generous tax incentives, and they are likely to attract the best candidates who are looking for enhanced work-life balance.